New Export Data Shows 34 States Reached Record Highs for Merchandise Exports in the First Half of 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWednesday, August 15, 2012CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS202-482-4883

U.S. exports support nearly 10 million jobs across the country

Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank announced today that U.S. merchandise exports totaled a record $773.4 billion in the first six months of 2012, up by $50.7 billion from the same period of 2011.

“Comprehensive data from the first half of 2012 demonstrates that exports continue to be a bright spot for America and that we’re making historic progress toward the president’s goal of doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014,” said Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank. “Despite a challenging global economy, these numbers show continued global demand for American goods. While the nation looks to be on track toward exceeding last year’s goods and services export total of $2.1 trillion, we are also seeing some individual states outpace the national average of seven percent growth in merchandise exports. This is good news for the economy, because we know that increased exports create jobs. The jump in exports since 2009 has helped the private sector create 4.5 million jobs over the past 29 months, and, in 2011, jobs supported by exports increased by 1.2 million over 2009. There’s more work to be done to strengthen the economy and put more Americans back to work, and we need to continue to do all we can to support American workers, exporters and businesses so that they can continue to help us rebuild this economy."

U.S. exports of transportation equipment expanded the most ($17.5 billion) during the first half of 2012, compared to the same period 2011. This sector accounted for more than one-third of the dollar growth in U.S. merchandise export through the first half of 2012. Exports of transportation equipment from Washington (up $4.9 billion), Michigan (up $2.3 billion), Texas (up $2.2 billion), Ohio (up $1.1 billion) and California (up $1.0 billion) grew the most in dollar terms during that period.

Exports are a driver of U.S. economic growth. Total merchandise exports from all 50 states contributed to a record $2.1 trillion in goods and services exports in 2011, which supported 9.7 million jobs. Half-way through 2012, U.S. exports are on track to once again exceed $2.1 trillion in value, and will help support the President’s National Export Initiative goal of doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014.

More information about individual state contribution to national exports is available through ITA’s Office of Trade and Industry Information web page: www.trade.gov/mas/ian/statereports. An interactive map with national and state merchandise trade data is also available here: http://tse.export.gov/TSE/.